Grass Is Greener Fallacy
Welcome to Issue 84 of Yath’s Blogletter, a newsletter where we explore mindful self-growth and navigating life.
Dear friends,
I've realised that the grass is rarely greener. The grass is most often just different. Let me explain why.
Throughout high school, I worked towards the goal of getting into medical school. It felt like the grass was greener on that side of the fence. I wasn't wrong. It certainly felt greener until I got used to it. It became the new normal in my life about two or three terms into medical school. Soon I became critical of all the downsides - many years ahead, a somewhat toxic culture, and limited free time compared to my pals on other courses. I started fantasising the next best thing. I started looking up to the junior doctors at placements as obviously, the grass had to be greener on their side of the fence.
That time eventually came, and it felt like the grass was greener for the first few months as a junior doctor. I worked a decent job, had my fancy apartment, and had a regular income. The grass felt greener until, as you might have guessed, it became the new normal in my life. Now, I'm thinking about the next 'best' thing. Could it be Locum Medicine? Could it be Big Pharma? Could it be Management Consulting?
These experiences and more buckled up to me realising the grass is greener mentality is nothing more than a fallacy. So, the next time you start to think the grass is greener elsewhere, I urge you to ask the same three questions I now ask myself:
- Am I just bored of what I'm currently doing?
- Am I just ignoring the negatives of the next proposed change?
- Am I just looking for a change of scenery/vibe?
I think it is perfectly normal to want to try new things and explore new fields. But, I think doing it because we believe the grass is greener sets us up for disappointment down the line.
No decision or change in life will bring you absolute perfection and even if it does it will soon become the new normal in your life. You'll want the next best thing sooner or later. This is because we humans are merchants of the hedonic treadmill.
Quote of the week:
Life has come to teach me that if you try to be someone else, you'll just increase your chances of becoming nobody at all.
(Happy Sexy Millionaire - Steven Bartlett)
Recommendation of the week:
Book 📚- Who Moved My Cheese?
An incredible bite-size read on ways to deal with change in our work and personal lives. Takes less than 90-minutes to read.
That’s all for this week - be safe, be happy!
Share this with a friend if you enjoyed it.
You can find more of me on: